SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- I caught up with Scottie Pippen for a couple of minutes before he entered the dinner Thursday night at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Here are a few of his comments.

On his state of mind as Friday night's induction ceremony approaches:

"I'm not nervous. It's a little bit emotional for me at times, but I think I'll manage to get through it. Basketball has done a lot for me and to be at this point, I can truly say I've reached the pinnacle."

About being the third member of the Bulls' championship team being inducted following coach Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan:

"It's a huge honor. Knowing I was part of something, such a great legacy of teammates, players, coaches ... you don't realize what you're going through when you're out there and you're having fun. It's a great feeling to look back and breath it all in. It was a very special moment, very special team."

On going in with the "Dream team":

"I think that makes it even more special, going in with the '92 Dream Team. Individually, is obviously a huge honor and I'm thankful for what I was able to achieve. I'm happy. It's a great day for me and I'm looking forward to all the festivities."

On sacrificing a part of his game to form a successful tandem with Jordan:

"I realized I was in a great situation playing in Chicago along side Michael. But I also know that it could have been different for me. I enjoyed the path that I took playing along side one of the greatest players to play the game. I was able to share that spotlight with him. That's the way I wanted it to be. That's how I enjoyed it and that's how I saw my success in the game - two great players being able, to some degree, dominate the game in the '90s."